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TV Festival screening to launch debate on lion farming

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/04/2021

This year’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival will host the premiere screening of Lion’s, Bones and Bullets, a hard-hitting animal rights documentary that reveals the underbelly of what the world thinks is ‘lion trophy hunting’ but, in reality, is the mass production, commercialisation and domestication of Africa’s wildlife for “traditional Chinese medicine”. 
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is known for being a showcase for talented entertainment-industry professionals who have, over the past 60 years, created some of history’s most successful TV programmes.
But it also puts the spotlight on more serious, environmental topics. This year it is animal rights, namely, the exploitation of lions on the African subcontinent that are being cruelly raised for slaughter to make traditional Chinese “medicines” and potions.
A documentary entitled Lions, Bones and Bullets, produced by Jagged Peak Films, will be premiered in June at the Monte Carlo Television Festival through a collaboration between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Festival organisers. It will be screened at the Grimaldi Forum.
Told through an adventure story, producer and investigator Richard Pierce travels from lion farms in South Africa to dealers in Southeast Asia “to uncover the elaborate wildlife con”. After presenting the problem, the film explores realistic alternatives.
“Lion farming and the increasing sale of lion bones to Asia involve exploitation, cruelty, injustice, misconception, fraud and corruption and is a threat to wild lion populations,” says Richard Pierce. “It is mind-blowing in terms of the huge negativity involved and it has no redeeming aspects. Lions are a flagship species. What happens to lion populations will be a major factor in determining the future of wild animals in Africa.”
The investigative documentary claims to uncover an elaborate international wildlife industry worth nearly US$100 million a year. Producers say it reveals, for the first time, the link between lion farming on an industrial scale in South Africa, and the growing demand and utilisation of lion bones in Southeast Asia.
“Lions, Bones and Bullets is a story that needed to be told,” says Executive Producer Anton Leach. “I realised not enough people know that lion farming is not just an emerging industry, it is a booming industry.
“We are honoured to have the world festival premier at the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival and believe this is the best forum to start a global debate about lion farming and the future of wildlife conservation.”
Lions, Bones and Bullets has benefited from support by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
“By denouncing the lion bones trade hidden behind hunting, it is a clear and vital wake-up call that is sent to the world, inviting us to open our eyes and rethink our relationship with nature in the respect of wildlife,” says Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II Foundation.
Lions, Bones and Bullets will premiere on Monday 21st June at 7pm at the Grimaldi Forum during the Television Festival.
“Our Festival has always put environmental issues at the forefront, notably through the Prince Rainier III Special Prize, awarded to the best documentary dealing with these topics,” says Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “We are convinced that this important screening will expose the secrets of the multi-million-dollar industry of lion farming to the world and open up a wide-scale ethical debate on the issue.”
 
Photo from the documentary Lions, Bones and Bullets
 
 

Roca team earn spot in Euroleague qualification

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/04/2021

AS Monaco Basketball brought home the bacon on Monday night crushing Châlons-Reims 94 to 76 in Jeep Elite action, and also were given word they are qualified for the first time in the team’s history in the Euroleague, the giant of European basketball leagues.

It was a big night for the Roca team. Hot off the heels of their qualification for the EuroCup 7 finals, they took on Châlons-Reims in a Jeep Elite match at Gaston Médecin where they dominated from start to finish.

Despite Rob Gray and Damien Inglis being out due to injury, the team played like the pros they are and took full advantage of their talents. Notably, Branden Frasier was on fire during the first half, pulling in 17 points on his own and going six for six on shots, including three for three in the three-point range.

The team from Champagne didn’t know what hit them.

The first half was a wash out for Châlons-Reims. They found themselves 19 points down at the half with the score sitting at 55-36.

After the break, things didn’t improve much for them, as Monaco was everywhere. At one point in the third, the score was an incredible 72 to 45 for the Roca boys. The game tightened up a bit in the last quarter, but Monaco was never in much danger of falling behind. In the end, they held on and finished with a 94-76 victory.

“After all the excitement of qualifying for the final in Gran Canaria, my team was very professional and kept the pressure on,” said Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. “I congratulate my players. Rob (Gray) and Damien (Inglis) were a bit injured, but they could play the next game.”

Meanwhile, far to the north in Saint-Peterburg, the team waited news on a decisive game. The Russian Zenit team beat Greek powerhouses Panathinaikos 112 to 83, thus securing the eighth place spot and catapulting Monaco into the Euroleague for the first time ever. The Euroleague is a top-tier competition that has run since 2000, replacing the previous FIBA EuroLeague.

When asked about the securing a place in the Euroleague, Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic proudly commended his team. “It’s a very big moment for the club, the result of a lot of work. We don’t have the biggest budget, nor the biggest squad, but my players showed huge heart to reach this Eurocup final. The club was in Pro B when I arrived and were climbing from N1 (3rd Division). Today, they find themselves in the Euroleague, there is an incredible side to all that.”

 
 

Nice shuttle to start trial in August

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/04/2021

The long-awaited shuttle boat service between Nice and Cap d’Ail will begin this summer, transporting cross-border workers wishing to avoid heavy traffic jams and crowded trains during their daily commute.
The National Council on Tuesday welcomed a move by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, in conjunction with Monaco, to offer the shuttle boat service between Nice Port and Cap d’Ail, starting in August.
With thousands of French inhabitants travelling to Monaco every day to work, the new transport service will provide vital relief to a saturated train network and heavily congested roads. It will also help reduce CO2 emissions in the region.
The shuttle will run every half hour during peak hours, making 34 rotations each day between the Port of Nice and Cap d’Ail, about 15 kilometres apart.
The boats will be powered by hybrid engines, making them both practical and environmentally friendly.
Once in Cap d’Ail, passengers will be able to make the short trip in to the Principality using the CAM bus service.
While welcoming the new service, the National Council repeated its call for the government to boost sustainable public transport services in Monaco, saying: “The National Council wants the government to diversify its offer of alternative transport, making it sufficiently attractive for motorists. This is why elected officials reiterate their request to increase the frequency and to introduce free busses in the Principality in order to eventually make it the mode of preferred travel for residents.”
The shuttle boat service between Nice and Cap d’Ail will be trialled for two years.
 
Photo of Nice Port via Pixabay
 
 

Excitement set to return to Monaco with Historic GP

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/04/2021

Monaco is revving up to host its first major public event since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the Historic Grand Prix. Tickets are selling out fast for the late April race amid uncertain health guidelines and ongoing travel restrictions in France.
After it was forced to cancel the 12th Historic Grand Prix of Monaco in 2020, the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM) is in full swing for this year’s event, with 170 competitors primed to compete and stands throughout the Principality ready to welcome fans.
It marks a major milestone for both the ACM and Monaco, with thousands of spectators set to fill the Principality, injecting some much needed energy into a country that thrives on hosting events.
But with less than 10 days to go, the government is yet to provide any specific health guidelines for spectators.
Meanwhile, France’s “light lockdown”, which includes a 10-kilometre travel restriction, is not due to be lifted until the first week of May. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Monegasque authorities will actually prohibit French citizens from entering the Principality for the event.
It hasn’t stopped tickets from going on sale though and, according to the ACM ticketing website, there are on average only 10% of seats still up for grabs. Stands at Quai Albert 1er and Piscine Plongeur are close to sold out.
While it remains uncertain what health documentation spectators will be asked to provide, the ACM, when contacted by Monaco Life, suggested that negative PCR tests would likely be required, particularly for foreign visitors.
The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco will serve as a precursor to the Principality’s most famous and highly-anticipated event, the Monaco Grand Prix, which is set to take place less than a month later.

READ ALSO: “We are preparing for every possible scenario”

The 2020 edition of the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco was meant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the World Formula 1 Championship. This year, the club will still pay homage and commemorate the first win for Ferrari in Formula 1.
For two and a half days, competitors will share their passion for competition at the highest level of motorsport, in real races, surrounded by the sounds and smells that characterise their cars.
Fans can expect a fight between “voiturettes” in the A Series; four iconic Maserati 250F models facing a diverse range of single-seaters with front engines in the B Series; a rich C Series with sports cars; and F1s from the 1960s in the D Series.
One third of the E Series will consist of cars powered by 12-cylinder engines, Ferrari, Matra and BRM, in addition to the F Series with three former Grand Prix drivers and a multiple winner of Le Mans 24 Hours.
Last but not least, the G Series will host more recent F1s in a large variety of colours.
There will be seven races in total on a street circuit that is 80% the same as it was in 1929.
The 12th Historic Grand Prix of Monaco will take place from 23rd to 25th April. Tickets can be purchased online here.
 
 
Photo by The Development of Birmingham on Flickr
 
 

Top Marques postponed for 3rd time

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/04/2021

Organisers of the hugely popular local event Top Marques have made the decision to cancel this year’s show and return in June 2022 for what it hopes will be favourable post-Covid conditions.
In the third rejiggering of dates this year, the organisers of the Top Marques Monaco announced on Tuesday that the show will be pushed from September 2021 to 8th to 12th June 2022.
“It has obviously been a difficult decision to make, but as it stands, conditions are not in place today for the event to be held with total peace of mind,” Salim Zeghdar, CEO of Top Marques said in a statement. “The lack of visibility and international restrictions still in effect have forced us to reluctantly postpone the 17th edition of Top Marques Monaco until next year.”
The postponement is a disappointment to visitors and a blow to the Principality, as the event is a big drawcard, bringing with it large international crowds, good press and a lot of money. But organisers are looking at the setback as a positive, allowing things to settle down on the health front to allow a more “normal” post-Covid environment.
“This new date will allow us to welcome our exhibitors and our visitors, many of whom come from abroad, in the best possible conditions,” Zeghdar said.
“My team and I are already working on the organisation of what we hope will be an exceptional edition. We are looking forward to promoting the luxury transport industry and its innovations throughout the Principality and beyond. We are preparing a number of surprises, as well as working on several novelties for the event, it’s going to be an amazing celebration of the automobile.”
Top Marques has been a Monaco staple since its first edition back in 2004. Called “the most exclusive automobile show in the world” by the New York Times, it is an annual luxury and supercar event attended by many of the car industry’s heaviest hitters.
The event features not just one-of-a-kind gems, but is also a showcase for innovative vehicles that may just turn into the cars of tomorrow.
Ticket holders can seek reimbursement from the same channels that tickets were purchased through, namely FNAC Spectacles or direct from the Grimaldi Forum.
 
Photo by Alexander Migl, via Wikimedia Commons
 
 

Monaco to host world’s first international streaming film festival

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/04/2021

The Principality will roll out the red carpet for the pioneering new Monaco Streaming Film Festival this summer, drawing industry heavyweights for a dynamic “festival-meets-summit” experience and an awards ceremony to celebrate the best in the streaming industry.
It was announced on Monday that the inaugural edition of the Monaco Streaming Film Festival (MCSFF) will take place from 3rd to 6th July at the Grimaldi Forum, just ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, allowing organisers to capitalise on the world’s most famous film festival while drawing attention to the future of the industry.
The event was co-founded by Netflix Founding VP Mitch Lowe and, with over 200 streaming platforms available to viewers globally, it will play an important role in bringing together content creators and talent, media and technology innovators in an industry that has hit overdrive with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We believe the industry has blossomed during the pandemic and offers the public access to exciting international content at a time when they need the world of entertainment and choice to come to them through their streaming platforms,” Tony Davis, CEO and Founder of MCSFF, told Monaco Life. “We aim to create an accessible and inclusive event that will support all content creators wishing to produce and showcase their work.”
The four-day hybrid festival includes premiers, an awards night, VIP receptions, a marketplace and a conference featuring talks by key personalities including Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak.
Organisers will leverage streaming technology to power the event, opening it to a global audience with a significant portion of virtual-only content and remote panels. The Grimaldi Forum’s new LED TV “wall” and broadcast studio will play a key part in helping to deliver the technology-driven festival.
The MCSFF is being organised in conjunction with major Hollywood streaming studios, the Princess Grace Foundation USA and the Global Environment Movement Association (GEMA) Foundation.
“It is important to show and bring to light the elements of our environment which are of great concern as well as all the solutions and efforts around solving them,” GEMA Co-Founder and Managing Partner Christian Moore told Monaco Life. “The MCSFF will play an important role in highlighting film makers and documentarians who bring these subjects to light.”
The festival will also present the first ever Princess Grace Award of Monaco, celebrating Princess Grace’s legacy in the film industry.
 
READ ALSO: New video wall for hybrid events
 
Photo of the Grimaldi Forum by Monaco Life